The true meaning of words

Usually, I am not the type of person that checks the locker every day. However, on that day, I broke my rule.

It was a Friday during my freshman year; right after my failed speech and debate competition at my high school, I dragged my lazy steps slowly down the hallway. It wasn’t the first time that I lost in these competitions, but the bitter aftertaste of lament and regret still stung on my tongue, and tears threatened to fall.

The hallway was empty. The late golden hour sunlight peeked through the windows. I blinked. The dazzling sunlight creates an unusual illusion in front of my eyes.

Why did I lose again? Maybe I’m just not good enough…

As I paced down the hallway, I came across my locker. The silver metal lock was hanging helplessly against the cold, pale pastel. I stopped and stared at it, wondering when was the last time I’ve used it. Just as I was about to walk away, I felt an urge pushing me to unlock it. So I reached out…

The lock unclicked with a thud, and something flew out. I picked it up and gasped. On the neon green paper wrote a message by a delicate hand.

“Don’t give up! All great things take time.” ~K :)

I never found out who K was and whether that message was meant for me to this day, but I was thankful. Those simple words gave me strength and hope that filled me with the energy to look forward. It was the power of words indeed. It acted as a healer that pieced my beliefs together and lighted up the darkness in my heart.

Why? Because this was the true meaning of words, and I wonder if K thought the same.